SURFERS ISLAND - Surf-and Kitesurfschool Fuerteventura — Attraction in Pájara

I took two surf lessons with Surfers Island in Dec2018 and Jan 2019 – both on Playa de la Pared, each with a different instructor (can’t recall their names, regrettably), and each lesson being a very contrasting experience comparing to the other, with the second one shockingly dreadful. Being landlocked in the daily life, since year 2016 when I had my first surf experience I’ve been taking each opportunity to take lessons with various surf schools whenever visiting somewhere coastal. The 30Dec 11.15 am session with Surfers Island was as expected and in overall a satisfying experience: the group had participants with varying levels - from novices to those learning to catch green waves. The instructor was dividing their time, attention and coaching adequately between all students. However, the 01 January 03.15pm session was an utter rip-off and a wasted afternoon which I wish I had spent with a different surf school. The (pseudo) ‘coach’ (I doubt that arrogant kid has got any surf instructor qualifications!) after the warm up and a quick run through pop-up techniques sent the learners off to the water while he stayed for a good while on the beach chatting to his mates. The next time when I saw him, he was surfing outside on a hardboard and clearly had ZERO interest in doing what the participants of the lesson paid for. He was not bothered to wear the red coach t-shirt either (it stayed on the beach where we left our things), so it was not easy to spot his whereabouts. Soon the conditions changed with backwash colliding against messy whitewash, double-ups and plunging waves outside – other surf schools were leaving and hardly anybody else was left in the water (always a good indicator when it becomes unsurfable!), I got out too. The ‘coach’ finished his surf, he then got back to the beach and snorted contemptuously when I commented on the conditions and their unsuitability for beginners. For the remainder of the lesson he stayed on the beach in wet wetsuit complaining how cold he was. On our way back, he numerously tried to persuade the group in the car how the waves were ‘perfect’ – which I think is particularly damaging when novices (there were some very young (and, presumably, quite trusting) girls in the group) are implanted with such deceptive bullcrap that they might refer to in the future if not rectified by some genuine surf coach. General remarks: the staff at the school are friendly and welcoming; the wetsuits are not cleaned with a disinfectant, but are only rinsed...

Best kitesurf school I have been to so far. The instructors are very experienced and fun. They focus a lot on making you feel safe and teaching you how to look after your own safety when kitesurfing as well. At the same time, the kitesurf lessons were a lot of fun. The staff is very kind and patient, encouraging and very passionate about kitesurfing and about you making progress - no matter the level you‘re at. I had a few kite lessons with Andrea, Troy, Selina, and Marcin and I had lots of fun and improved my kitesurfing a lot (going upwind, learning transitions, and switching).

Once I was pretty solid at going upwind, I did supervised kitesurfing (SK). This is a nice way of practicing on my own under safe conditions. And even then, Troy stopped by every once in a while to give me some helpful tips or even instruct me in the first steps of doing jumps. Especially on one day when the wind kept turning, he helped me a lot to still have a good SK session.

Both during lessons and when doing SK, you are wearing a helmet with an attached walkie-talkie so the instructors can easily talk to you, which also made me feel very safe. Language-wise I was instructed in German and English and the communication worked really well.

Outside of the time on the water, both Troy and Andrea took a lot of time to teach me about as many things as possible (e.g. how to trim a bar, recognise gusts on the water, …).

A few more things that were also very positive: The communication via WhatsApp (mostly with Sarah) was very friendly, clear, and reliable. We booked several days of kitesurfing lessons and got a timetable at the start of the course so we knew roughly how to plan The instructors only take kitesurf students out once a day so if the wind and water conditions are really good, there‘s no rush to get back soon and you have plenty of time on the water

Also, the kite spot is amazing. Surfers Island takes you to Sotavento and the Lagune is quite large and separated from the open ocean by a sand bank. The water is super clean and so is the sand/ bottom of the sea (no sea urchins, anemones etc.). The only thing to bear in mind here is the tide - depending on that the Lagune is filled with water or not (if not, you only have the option to kitesurf on the open ocean, which they don‘t do with beginners).

All in all, a very positive experience and I will be back one day for sure! Thanks a lot to Troy and...

I recently had the pleasure of taking surfing lessons with Vincente, and I can't recommend him highly enough! From the moment we met, his passion for surfing and dedication to teaching were evident. Vincente's approach is both professional and personable, making every lesson not only educational but also incredibly fun.

Vincente's extensive knowledge of the ocean and surfing techniques ensured that I felt safe and confident throughout the sessions. He has a remarkable ability to break down complex movements into simple, understandable steps, which made learning to surf a truly enjoyable experience. His patience and encouragement were invaluable, especially when I was struggling to catch my first waves.

What sets Vincente apart is his genuine enthusiasm for seeing his students succeed. He celebrated every small victory with me and provided constructive feedback to help me improve continuously. His positive attitude and infectious energy created a supportive learning environment where I felt motivated to push myself further.

Beyond his exceptional teaching skills, Vincente also shared valuable insights about surf culture and the local surf spots, enriching my overall experience. His deep respect for the ocean and the sport of surfing was truly inspiring.

If you're looking for a surfing instructor who is not only highly skilled but also genuinely invested in your progress, Vincente is the perfect choice. Thanks to his guidance, I have gained confidence and skills on the board that I never thought possible. I look forward to many more surfing adventures with Vincente as...